Supplements 101

Up to 90% of Americans do not get the required amount of important nutrients from food alone. Multivitamins and other supplements are great options to get you the amount of the 13 essential vitamins our bodies need, but it’s tough to know where to even begin. With so many different products on the market and ads for the next best thing, picking the correct supplements can be daunting. So, we created this quick guide to help you start your supplement regime confidently.

What’s the difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins?

Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as anything in a gel coded capsule, such as fish oil. With fat-soluble vitamins, you want to be sure and take them with a meal that contains fat, which will greatly improve the absorption of the vitamins. Some healthy foods containing fat that will help with fat-soluble vitamin absorption are nuts, peanut butter, and avocado. Water-soluble vitamins include Vitamins B and C can be taken anytime between meals, but we do find most people do better when they take them with meals.

Start with one supplement

When you begin taking supplements, it's good to start them one at a time. If you're going to be taking multiple supplements, just add one each day, so the body can acclimate and you can also tell if you have any sensitivity toward those products. If you have trouble taking the supplements when you first start taking them, you can try taking them with some digestive enzymes for the first couple weeks and usually that will take care of that.

Limit your need for supplementation

We encourage you to get the bulk of your nutrition from good, quality foods. You shouldn't voluntarily neglect one of the essential nutrients because you know you can get it from a supplement; a supplement is simply that, a tool to supplement your diet. Eating a nutrient-dense diet will provide most people with all the nutrients they need.

Only use high-quality supplements

You will not typically find the quality of product you need at discount retailers or on the shelves of your local pharmacy. High-quality, pharmaceutical grade supplements, like those sold in the Vitopia Store, will be the most effective way for you to improve your health.

If you have a question before starting a supplementation program, please contact me at mike@vitopiahealth.com. I can help you to pick the correct products for your specific needs.